Beef seeks Royal record
Beef Or Salmon will face seven rivals as he attempts to become the first horse to complete back-to-back victories in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal.
Michael Hourigan’s nine-year-old defeated subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kicking King by three and a half lengths 12 months ago and connections are hoping he can make history tomorrow.
He had a prep run in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh four weeks ago, finishing ninth to Clara Allen in his first race since he was pulled up in the Gold Cup in March.
“It would be nice to win it again. I don’t think any horse has won it twice,” said Hourigan. “He’s absolutely fine. He had a nice warm-up run on the Flat which had always been the plan.”
War Of Attrition is seen as the main obstacle to Beef Or Salmon’s bid for consecutive wins in the Grade One contest.
Mouse Morris’s six-year-old made a superb start to his second winter chasing campaign when beating Kicking King by three lengths at Punchestown last month.
Opposition also includes Betfred Gold Cup winner Jack High from Ted Walsh’s stable and Arthur Moore’s old warrior Native Upmanship, the winner of 16 races, but none over as far as three miles.
Charlie Swan saddles Strong Project while Mariah Rollins will represent Pat Fahy. Kadoun from Michael O’Brien’s yard and the Pat Hughes-trained Montayral complete the line-up.
